Indiana University Athletics
Forget Sleep – It’s the Bucket Game
11/24/2017 2:07:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Oaken Bucket opportunity looms and who can sleep?
Mark Hagen wonders.
He's Indiana's defensive line coach with a dual-sided history of the Indiana-Purdue football rivalry that perhaps no one can match.
He's played in the game as a Hoosier player, grad assistant and assistant coach. He's also competed as a Boiler assistant coach for 10 years.
Hagen's experienced Bucket highs and lows. But Hagen has never faced the kind of winner-take-all drama that awaits Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.
No one has.
And for this, Hagen says, in so many words, bring it on.
"Having been on both sides of this, I know what (Purdue's) mindset is. They want it back. The question is, how hard are we willing to fight to keep it? It's as simple as that."
Rivalry games are never simple. Not with the passion and likelihood that somebody is going to tick somebody off a lot. Tempers will flare. Referee whistles might not always stop the action.
"This is as intense as you can imagine, and then some," Hagen says. "Think of the most intense thing you've ever done, and then factor it in, whatever. That's what rivalry games are.
"You can use the old cliché about throwing out the records, but these are two teams that don't like each other."
Animosity brings extra spark. For the first time, both teams come in with 5-6 records. Only the winner will become bowl eligible.
The loser will spend the holidays at home.
"This year there's a lot to play for on both sides," Hagen says. "It will be a fight to the bitter end. Lots of crazy things happen. It will take a full 60 minutes, and then some maybe, to get it done."
Hagen was a fierce linebacker back in the day, and opponents paid for it. He was a team captain, a two-time All-Big Ten choice and a three-time academic all-conference selection under coach Bill Mallory. As a player, he helped the Hoosiers beat Purdue in his final two seasons.
In some ways, he says, he wishes he still could.
"What's hard is you wish you could go back out there one last time, strap it on and play."
Hagen can't of course, which leads to this question -- is it harder to play or coach in the Bucket game?
"It sure was intense to play in," Hagen says. "It's stressful.
"But as a coach, you don't go out there and play, it adds stress that way. As a player, you have the chance to contribute from a physical standpoint.
"It's intense and stressful whether you're playing or coaching in it. At the same time, it's fun. Those sound like two negative things. It's a lot of fun. There's a lot of passion on the field. We expect a dogfight."
Both teams come in with momentum. IU has won two straight. Purdue has won two of its last three.
The Hoosiers seek their third straight bowl appearance. The Boilers are looking for their first bowl in five years.
As far as the winner-take-all stakes, Hagen says, "That's extra frosting on top.
"This game will always be hotly contested. There's a lot of emotion. Stakes are very high.
"The teams couldn't be more similar from record to what's going to happen for the winning team, a chance to extend the season and go to a bowl. Then you get those extra practices with your young guys.
"It just adds to the drama."
Having been on both sides of the rivalry gives Hagen a unique perspective. Make no mistake – there are no divided loyalties.
"There are lots of layers for me there as a player, from being on the administrative staff for Coach Mallory, certainly coaching up there and now back here.
"For me on Saturday, it's the game itself. You dive into the game, coach your players. That's all I'll be focused on. Doing my part to get the D-line coached up to help us win."
As for sleep, Hagen says, "It's always a long week from a preparation standpoint. It will be difficult to sleep. The blood will be flowing.
"But I can tell you this. Nothing is more satisfying than coming off the field with the Bucket in hand and knowing you're either keeping it for another year, or taking it back. It's a great feeling."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Oaken Bucket opportunity looms and who can sleep?
Mark Hagen wonders.
He's Indiana's defensive line coach with a dual-sided history of the Indiana-Purdue football rivalry that perhaps no one can match.
He's played in the game as a Hoosier player, grad assistant and assistant coach. He's also competed as a Boiler assistant coach for 10 years.
Hagen's experienced Bucket highs and lows. But Hagen has never faced the kind of winner-take-all drama that awaits Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.
No one has.
And for this, Hagen says, in so many words, bring it on.
"Having been on both sides of this, I know what (Purdue's) mindset is. They want it back. The question is, how hard are we willing to fight to keep it? It's as simple as that."
Rivalry games are never simple. Not with the passion and likelihood that somebody is going to tick somebody off a lot. Tempers will flare. Referee whistles might not always stop the action.
"This is as intense as you can imagine, and then some," Hagen says. "Think of the most intense thing you've ever done, and then factor it in, whatever. That's what rivalry games are.
"You can use the old cliché about throwing out the records, but these are two teams that don't like each other."
Animosity brings extra spark. For the first time, both teams come in with 5-6 records. Only the winner will become bowl eligible.
The loser will spend the holidays at home.
"This year there's a lot to play for on both sides," Hagen says. "It will be a fight to the bitter end. Lots of crazy things happen. It will take a full 60 minutes, and then some maybe, to get it done."
Hagen was a fierce linebacker back in the day, and opponents paid for it. He was a team captain, a two-time All-Big Ten choice and a three-time academic all-conference selection under coach Bill Mallory. As a player, he helped the Hoosiers beat Purdue in his final two seasons.
In some ways, he says, he wishes he still could.
"What's hard is you wish you could go back out there one last time, strap it on and play."
Hagen can't of course, which leads to this question -- is it harder to play or coach in the Bucket game?
"It sure was intense to play in," Hagen says. "It's stressful.
"But as a coach, you don't go out there and play, it adds stress that way. As a player, you have the chance to contribute from a physical standpoint.
"It's intense and stressful whether you're playing or coaching in it. At the same time, it's fun. Those sound like two negative things. It's a lot of fun. There's a lot of passion on the field. We expect a dogfight."
Both teams come in with momentum. IU has won two straight. Purdue has won two of its last three.
The Hoosiers seek their third straight bowl appearance. The Boilers are looking for their first bowl in five years.
As far as the winner-take-all stakes, Hagen says, "That's extra frosting on top.
"This game will always be hotly contested. There's a lot of emotion. Stakes are very high.
"The teams couldn't be more similar from record to what's going to happen for the winning team, a chance to extend the season and go to a bowl. Then you get those extra practices with your young guys.
"It just adds to the drama."
Having been on both sides of the rivalry gives Hagen a unique perspective. Make no mistake – there are no divided loyalties.
"There are lots of layers for me there as a player, from being on the administrative staff for Coach Mallory, certainly coaching up there and now back here.
"For me on Saturday, it's the game itself. You dive into the game, coach your players. That's all I'll be focused on. Doing my part to get the D-line coached up to help us win."
As for sleep, Hagen says, "It's always a long week from a preparation standpoint. It will be difficult to sleep. The blood will be flowing.
"But I can tell you this. Nothing is more satisfying than coming off the field with the Bucket in hand and knowing you're either keeping it for another year, or taking it back. It's a great feeling."
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